Skate boot with flexible midfoot section

ABSTRACT

A skate boot or other piece of footwear is provided with a flexible midfoot section that is not rigidly connected to either a sole and/or base of the boot, in order to adjustably tighten around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer&#39;s midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness. The midfoot section is in a “hammock” type arrangement while the ball and heel portions of the wearer&#39;s foot rests on the footbed over the respective sole portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The instant application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/651,509 filed Jul. 17, 2017, pending, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/860,632filed Apr. 11, 2013, abandoned, and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/622,808, filed Apr. 11, 2012, the entirespecifications of all of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear, such as shoes orboots, and, more specifically to footwear, such as but not limited toice skating boots, having a flexible midfoot section that is not rigidlyconnected to either a sole and/or base of the boot, in order toadjustably tighten around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer'smidfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional ice skating boots are typically constructed with concavearch portions. The arch portion thus defines an internal or interiorarch cavity (i.e., a cavity inside the boot) relative to the wearer'sfoot, especially in proximity to the foot's arch. That is, when thewearer's foot is placed inside the boot, there is a space or cavitydefined between the arch or side of the wearer's foot and the adjacentinside surface of the boot, including an area underneath the wearer'sfoot. The presence of the arch cavity may be a problem for individualswith any type of feet when skating in conventional boots.

Because typical ice skating maneuvers with ice skating boots require thefoot to be able to balance on a point of a rockered skating blade, it isimportant for the wearer's foot to have constant arch support. This is aspecial concern for those skaters that have one or both feet that havehigh arches. The presence of arch cavities in boots cause the skater'sfoot to collapse into the arch cavity due to the foot's high arch.Needless to say, skating performance would be expected to significantlysuffer under these circumstances.

The problem of arch cavities may be due to the trend of conventionalskating boots being made from shoe or boot last shapes that are concavethrough the arch portion of the foot bed or sole, because of the “toespring” shape needed for walking. Because of these different mechanicalconditions being present, the ice skater's foot needs constant supportagainst the arch, and, with an arch cavity being present, the muscles,bones, tendons and ligaments of the foot (especially in proximity to thearch) can become stressed and/or injured as the foot (especially thearch) repeatedly collapses (or attempts to collapse) into this cavity.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide new and improved piecesof footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, forovercoming at least one of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the general teachings of the present invention, newand improved pieces of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skatingboots, are provided.

More specifically, a skate boot or other piece of footwear is providedwith a flexible midfoot section that is not rigidly connected to eithera sole and/or base of the boot, in order to adjustably tighten aroundthe bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot to provide archsupport and uniform snugness. The midfoot section is in a “hammock” typearrangement while the ball and heel portions of the wearer's foot restson the footbed over the respective sole portions.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a pieceof footwear is provided, comprising:

an ice skate boot having a heel portion and a spaced apart forefootportion;

an ice skate blade member;

a discontinuous sole system extending along a lower portion of the iceskate boot, wherein the sole system includes a heel sole member and aforefoot sole member, wherein the heel sole member and the forefoot solemember are spaced apart and do not contact each other;

wherein the heel sole member is positioned only on an underside surfaceof the heel portion, a first portion of the ice skate blade member beingfastened to the heel sole member;

wherein the forefoot sole member is positioned only on an undersidesurface of the forefoot portion, a second portion of the ice skate blademember being fastened to the forefoot sole member; and

a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed between, and fastenedto, the heel portion and forefoot portion, wherein the midfoot portionis soleless;

wherein an underside surface of the midfoot portion does not contacteither the heel sole member, the forefoot sole member, or the ice skateblade member;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfootportion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumferenceof the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entirecircumference of the wearer's midfoot portion by manipulation offasteners connected to the midfoot portion so as to conform the midfootportion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a pieceof footwear is provided, comprising:

a heel portion;

a discontinuous sole system including a heel sole member and a forefootsole member, wherein the heel sole member and the forefoot sole memberare spaced apart and do not contact each other;

wherein the heel sole member is positioned only on an underside surfaceof the heel portion;

a forefoot portion;

wherein the forefoot sole member is positioned only on an undersidesurface of the forefoot portion;

a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed between, and fastenedto, the heel portion and forefoot portion, wherein the midfoot portionis soleless; and

at least two connection members interconnecting the heel sole member tothe forefoot sole member, wherein the at least two connection membersare proximate to the underside surface of the heel portion and theunderside surface of the forefoot portion;

wherein an underside surface of the midfoot portion does not contacteither the heel sole member or the forefoot sole member;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfootportion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumferenceof the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entirecircumference of the wearer's midfoot portion by manipulation offasteners connected to the midfoot portion so as to conform the midfootportion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the connection members are selectively operable to change anangular orientation of the forefoot portion relative to the heel portionsuch that the forefoot portion is operable to move horizontally leftwardor rightward relative to the heel portion.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, a pieceof footwear is provided, comprising:

an ice skate boot having a heel portion and a spaced apart forefootportion;

a continuous sole member extending along a lower portion of the iceskate boot from the heel portion to the forefoot portion;

an ice skate blade member fastened to the heel portion and the forefootportion; and

a substantially flexible midfoot portion disposed inside of the iceskate boot and suspended above the sole member such that no portion ofthe midfoot portion contacts the sole member;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfootportion such that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumferenceof the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entirecircumference of the wearer's midfoot portion by manipulation offasteners connected to the midfoot portion so as to conform the midfootportion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;

wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to prevent the wearer's midfootportion from contacting the sole member when the wearer's midfootportion is received therein.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an ice skating boot, in accordance witha first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an ice skating boot, in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an ice skating boot, in accordance with athird embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of an ice skating boot, in accordance witha fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative ice skating boot, inaccordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, in accordancewith a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second alternative ice skating boot, inaccordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second alternative ice skating boot,in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout thevarious Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, oruses.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an ice skating boot generally at10. The boot 10 primarily includes a heel portion 100, a forefootportion 200, and a midfoot portion 300 that is positioned between theheel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200.

The midfoot portion 300 includes a substantially flexible midfoot member302 that is flexibly attached to the heel portion 100 and the forefootportion 200. That is, the midfoot portion 300 should not be comprised ofa material that is so stiff so as to be difficult to manipulate around awearer's midfoot so as to be drawn closer thereto, the significance ofwhich will be described herein.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the flexible member 302 isnot connected to either a sole and/or base of the boot 10. That is, onlythe heel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200 are provided with soleportions 102, 202, respectively. In this manner, it is possible toadjustably tighten the midfoot member 302 (and only the midfoot member302) around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot toprovide arch support and uniform snugness. It should be appreciated thatno part of the midfoot member 302 is intended to extend to the wearer'sheel or forefoot portions. The midfoot member 302 is in a “hammock” typearrangement while the ball and heel of the wearer's foot may rest on thefootbed over the sole portions 102, 202, respectively, of the heelportion 100 and the forefoot portion 200. That is, no part of themidfoot member 302 is intended to be positioned over and/or suspendedover any portion of a sole or sole-like structure of the boot 10.

The midfoot member 302 may be comprised of any number of suitablematerials, such as but not limited to soft leather, vinyl, varioussynthetic or natural rubbers, nylon, rayon, or any other workablefabrics or mixtures thereof, that can be made to tighten and conformaround the wearer's midfoot uniformly and comfortably. The heel portion100 and the forefoot portion 200 of the boot 10 as well as the soleportions 102, 202, respectively, can be comprised of the same materialsas usually used for conventional boots.

In order to adjustably tighten the midfoot member 302 around the bottom,sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot to provide arch support anduniform snugness, the boot 10 and/or the midfoot member 302 may beprovided with various fasteners 400, such as but not limited to laces,straps, belts, rings, VELCRO™ hooks and loops, hooks, snaps, latches, orany other suitable fasteners. By way of a non-limiting example,manipulation (e.g., “cinching’) of the fasteners 400 (e.g., tighteningof laces connected to (or proximate to) the midfoot member 302 (e.g., onthe left and right portions of the midfoot member 302)) may cause themidfoot member 302 to be drawn taut (or further taut) against thewearer's midfoot, e.g., in an upward and/or inward direction. It shouldbe noted that only a portion of the fasteners 400 proximate to themidfoot member 302 are depicted in FIG. 3 for purposes of clarity ofillustration. By way of a non-limiting example, the fasteners 400 may beincorporated into a portion or the entirely of the circumference of themidfoot member 302, e.g., so as to be operable to be drawn taut (orfurther taut) against the wearer's midfoot. By way of anothernon-limiting example, the fasteners 400 may be incorporated onto anexterior surface, an internal cavity and/or an interior surface of themidfoot member 302, e.g., so as to be operable to be drawn taut (orfurther taut) against the wearer's midfoot.

As previously noted, the boot 10 includes a midfoot portion 300 thatdoes not have a sole portion underneath it or associated therewith. Inthe case of an ice skating boot, the midfoot sole portion can be deletedor eliminated because the blade portion 500 would function to hold theheel portion 100 and the forefoot portion 200 together in a fixedrelationship.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, for those individuals thatwant continuous upper portions and sole portions extending along theentire length of the boot 10 from the heel portion to the forefootportion, a sole portion 300 a and/or an upper portion 300 b (e.g.,leather or other type of suitable footwear material) can be provided toprovide for a substantially enclosed piece of footwear. e.g., as shownin FIGS. 5 and 6. It should be appreciated that no part of the midfootmember 302 a is intended to extend to the wearer's heel or forefootportions. In this manner, a substantially flexible midfoot member 302 a(and only the midfoot member 302 a) would be “suspended” in ahammock-like arrangement above, but not touching, the sole portion 300a. The midfoot member 302 a may be fastened to the upper portion 300 bin any number of methods, including but not limited to stitching, laces,straps, belts, rings. VELCRO™ hooks and loops, hooks, snaps, latches, orany other suitable fasteners.

As with the previously described embodiment, the midfoot member 302 amay be comprised of any number of suitable materials, such as but notlimited to soft leather, vinyl, various synthetic or natural rubbers,nylon, rayon, or any other workable fabrics or mixtures thereof, thatcan be made to tighten and conform around the wearer's midfoot uniformlyand comfortably. Again, it should be appreciated that the midfootportion 302 a should not be comprised of a material that is so stiff soas to be difficult to manipulate around a wearer's midfoot so as to bedrawn closer thereto, the significance of which will be describedherein.

As with the previously described embodiment, in order to adjustablytighten the midfoot member 302 a around the bottom, sides, and/or top ofthe wearer's midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness, theboot 10 and/or the midfoot member 302 a may be provided with variousfasteners 400, such as but not limited to laces, straps, belts, rings.VELCRO™ hooks and loops, hooks, snaps, latches, or any other suitablefasteners. By way of a non-limiting example, manipulation (e.g.,“cinching’) of the fasteners 400 (e.g., tightening of laces connected tothe midfoot member 302 a (e.g., on the left and right portions of themidfoot member 302 a)) may cause the midfoot member 302 a to be drawntaut (or further taut) against the wearer's midfoot, e.g., in an upwardand/or inward direction. It should be noted that only a portion of thefasteners 400 proximate to the midfoot member 302 a are depicted in FIG.5 for purposes of clarity of illustration. By way of a non-limitingexample, the fasteners 400 may be incorporated into a portion or theentirely of the circumference of the midfoot member 302 a, e.g., so asto be operable to be drawn taut (or further taut) against the wearer'smidfoot. By way of another non-limiting example, the fasteners 400 maybe incorporated onto an exterior surface, an internal cavity and/or aninterior surface of the midfoot member 302 a. e.g., so as to be operableto be drawn taut (or further taut) against the wearer's midfoot.

Thus, summarizing, and by way of a non-limiting example, the flexiblemidfoot portion may span the gap between the forefoot and heel portions,e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-4, or may be inserted (e.g., sewn in orotherwise attached) inside an otherwise conventionally made boot, e.g.,as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The present invention can also be practiced with other types of footwearother than ice skating boots. By way of a non-limiting example, theforefoot portion and the heel portion can be connected together via anynumber of suitable rigid connectors, such as but not limited to plates,rods, dowels, struts, and/or the like. In this case too, the flexiblemidfoot section is not rigidly connected to the sole or connectors thatlie below it or are associated therewith, so as to allow the middle ofthe foot to be “suspended” in a hammock-like configuration relative tothe forefoot portion and the heel portion of the piece of footwear.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a piece offootwear may be provided, such as but not limited to an ice skatingboot, having a split sole allowing the front and back portions thereofto be fitted separately in a modular fashion, to the specific curvatureand width of the wearer's foot. By way of a non-limiting example, thecurvature of the wearer's foot is the angle from which the direction ofthe forefoot portion is offset from the heel portion direction.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, the forefoot portion of theboot may be set relative to the heel portion to match the wearer's footcurvature, and then fixed in place with permanent or temporary rigidconnecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, fastening the forefoot portion700 and heel portion 800 together. Although two connecting pieces 600,602, respectively, are shown, it should be appreciated that either lessthan or more than this number of connecting pieces may be used in thepractice of the present invention. By way of a non-limiting example, theconnecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, are proximate to an undersidesurface of the heel portion 800 and an underside surface of the forefootportion 700, e.g., so as not to be visible when in use.

In this manner, the orientation (e.g., left/right, inboard/outboard,and/or the like) of the forefoot portion of the boot may be changedrelative to the heel portion, and vice versa, of the boot so as toprovide a better fit for the wearer. This can be done because themidfoot portion 900X) is substantially flexible and may be tightenedclosely to the wearer's foot (e.g., as previously described), oralternatively, the midfoot portion may be attached afterward. By way ofa non-liming example, the connecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, canbe removed, the forefoot portion 700 realigned relative to the heelportion 800, or vice versa, e.g., to the wearer's desire, and then theconnecting pieces 600, 602, respectively, may be reinstalled, thusfixing the forefoot portion 700 relative to the heel portion 800, orvice versa, in a new orientation or alignment with each other.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A piece of footwear, comprising: an ice skateboot having a heel portion and a spaced apart forefoot portion; an iceskate blade member; a discontinuous sole system extending along a lowerportion of the ice skate boot, wherein the sole system includes a heelsole member and a forefoot sole member, wherein the heel sole member andthe forefoot sole member are spaced apart and do not contact each other;wherein the heel sole member is positioned only on an underside surfaceof the heel portion, a first portion of the ice skate blade member beingfastened to the heel sole member; wherein the forefoot sole member ispositioned only on an underside surface of the forefoot portion, asecond portion of the ice skate blade member being fastened to theforefoot sole member; and a substantially flexible midfoot portiondisposed between, and fastened to, the heel portion and forefootportion, wherein the midfoot portion is soleless; wherein an undersidesurface of the midfoot portion does not contact either the heel solemember, the forefoot sole member, or the ice skate blade member; whereinthe midfoot portion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfoot portionsuch that the midfoot portion envelopes an entire circumference of thewearer's midfoot portion; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to betightened around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfootportion by manipulation of fasteners connected to the midfoot portion soas to conform the midfoot portion around the entire circumference of thewearer's midfoot portion.
 2. A piece of footwear, comprising: a heelportion; a discontinuous sole system including a heel sole member and aforefoot sole member, wherein the heel sole member and the forefoot solemember are spaced apart and do not contact each other; wherein the heelsole member is positioned only on an underside surface of the heelportion; a forefoot portion; wherein the forefoot sole member ispositioned only on an underside surface of the forefoot portion; asubstantially flexible midfoot portion disposed between, and fastenedto, the heel portion and forefoot portion, wherein the midfoot portionis soleless; and at least two connection members interconnecting theheel sole member to the forefoot sole member, wherein the at least twoconnection members are proximate to the underside surface of the heelportion and the underside surface of the forefoot portion; wherein anunderside surface of the midfoot portion does not contact either theheel sole member or the forefoot sole member; wherein the midfootportion is adapted to receive a wearer's midfoot portion such that themidfoot portion envelopes an entire circumference of the wearer'smidfoot portion; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightenedaround the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion bymanipulation of fasteners connected to the midfoot portion so as toconform the midfoot portion around the entire circumference of thewearer's midfoot portion; wherein the connection members are selectivelyoperable to change an angular orientation of the forefoot portionrelative to the heel portion such that the forefoot portion is operableto move horizontally leftward or rightward relative to the heel portion.3. A piece of footwear, comprising: an ice skate boot having a heelportion and a spaced apart forefoot portion; a continuous sole memberextending along a lower portion of the ice skate boot from the heelportion to the forefoot portion; an ice skate blade member fastened tothe heel portion and the forefoot portion; and a substantially flexiblemidfoot portion disposed inside of the ice skate boot and suspendedabove the sole member such that no portion of the midfoot portioncontacts the sole member; wherein the midfoot portion is adapted toreceive a wearer's midfoot portion such that the midfoot portionenvelopes an entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to be tightened around the entirecircumference of the wearer's midfoot portion by manipulation offasteners connected to the midfoot portion so as to conform the midfootportion around the entire circumference of the wearer's midfoot portion;wherein the midfoot portion is adapted to prevent the wearer's midfootportion from contacting the sole member when the wearer's midfootportion is received therein.